Underfloor heating involves pipes or electrical cables distributed throughout the home, under the floor. These pipes heat up, supplying the home with warmth from the ground up.
Underfloor heating offers several advantages over traditional boiler systems, including more even heat distribution, energy efficiency and design flexibility. In this article, we briefly look at types of underfloor heating, the installation process, how it heats as well as the benefits of choosing underfloor heating.
Types of Underfloor Heating
There are two types of underfloor heating:
– Hydronic (Water-based) Underfloor Heating: This system moves warm water through a network of pipes that sit beneath the floor.
– Electric Underfloor Heating: This system generates heat through the use of electric cables or mats that sit under the floor.
Underfloor Heating Installation Process
– For hydronic underfloor heating, pipes are laid out in a network across the floor before the floor is covered with a screed or concrete layer.
– With electric underfloor heating, heating mats or cables are laid evenly across the floor before being covered by a layer of tile adhesive or Thinset.
How They Heat
– In hydronic systems, hot water will be heated by a boiler or a heat pump before it is circulated through the pipes.
– Electric systems generate heat directly through the cables or mats.
Efficiency and Comfort
Underfloor heating provides more even heat distribution when compared with traditional radiators. This avoids cold spots in rooms. Because heat rises from the floor, it creates an evenly warm and comfortable environment throughout your home. And, because underfloor heating systems run at lower temperatures than traditional boilers, they can offer energy savings and reduced bills.
Different Flooring Types
Underfloor heating performs best with flooring such as tile, stone, laminate, engineered wood, and some carpets. It’s really important to choose a flooring material that has good thermal conductivity, to ensure the heat is transferred effectively.
Maintenance
Underfloor heating doesn’t need too much maintenance after initial installation. Routing inspections and checks of the system will ensure everything is in full working order.
Want to Install Underfloor Heating?
At Express Liquid Screeds, we supply and lay specialist screeds that offer exceptional thermal conductivity. We partner with a great underfloor heating installation company that manufactures quality underfloor heating components and packages.
Underfloor heating has become a popular choice for homeowners in London. It offers a comfortable and efficient way to heat your property. Plus, it can run off green power if you are looking to improve your sustainability.
If you’re considering underfloor heating installation in your London property, there are a few things to keep in mind. In this blog post, we’ll explore five things you should know before underfloor heating installation.
Choosing The Right System:
Before jumping straight into underfloor heating installation, it’s essential to choose the right system for your space. There are two main types of underfloor heating systems: electric and water-based (hydronic).
Electric systems are easier to install. Usually, they are more suited to smaller areas or renovations.
On the other hand, water-based systems are more efficient for larger spaces.
The type of flooring in your London home will impact how well the underfloor heating works.
While underfloor heating works well with most flooring materials, naturally certain choices will be better than others, as different types of material have different conductivity.
For example, tiles and stone are great choices as they transfer heat really well. However, thick carpets are natural insulators, so they might reduce the system’s effectiveness. You should discuss your flooring options with the underfloor heating installation team in London to make the right decision.
Professional Installation is Important:
Underfloor heating installation is not a simple DIY task. Especially in London where there are so many strict building regulations. It’s essential to hire a professional underfloor heating installation company.
A professional company will ensure the installation sticks to all building regs, but also that any concerns are addressed to ensure a system that works properly.
Looking For Underfloor Heating Installation in London?
Investing in underfloor heating for your home in London is a great choice. It can bring even heat to your home, whilst improving your green credentials and reducing your energy bills along the way. However, before you jump into installation, be sure to chat with a professional first!
If you would like to find out about underfloor heating installation from our London team, just get in touch.
Self-levelling compound is a cement-based mixture used to smooth and level uneven subfloors before the installation of flooring materials such as tile, hardwood, laminate or carpet. It is a popular choice in construction and renovation projects because it naturally creates a flat, even surface, which is the perfect underlay for the final floor choice.
Here’s how a self-levelling compound works:
Composition:
Self-levelling compounds are typically composed of cement, fine aggregates and other additives. The specific formulation can vary, but the main goal is to create a flowable mixture that can spread and settle evenly across a surface.
Flowability:
The key feature of the self-levelling compound is its ability to flow and spread out evenly across the surface. When prepared correctly, the self-levelling compound becomes a low-viscosity liquid, gravity and surface tension work together to level the compound.
The low viscosity of the self-levelling compound mixture enables it to flow and settle into depressions and irregularities in the subfloor. As it spreads it will naturally fill in low spots or irregularities. The surface tension helps the compound maintain a uniform thickness across the entire area. These characteristics are beneficial, as they address unevenness in the subfloor, preparing the surface for the final finish.
Setting and Curing:
After application, the self-levelling compound sets and cures, our self-levelling compounds can be ready to walk on in as little as 24-48 hours. During this time, it hardens and becomes a solid surface.
Compatibility:
Self-levelling compounds are versatile and can be used on various subfloor materials, including concrete, plywood, and existing tile, as long as the surface is prepared correctly.
It’s important to note that proper surface preparation, including cleaning, priming, and addressing any structural issues, is essential for the correct application of self-levelling compounds.
Want To Buy a Self-levelling Compound?
Established in 2013, Express Liquid Screeds Limited is known as the market leader across the South of England for all things flowing. Including liquid screeds, concrete line pumping and self-levelling compounds. Contact us today for a no-obligation chat about the many benefits our product range can add to your project today!
